1970's Fender Mustang

70's Fender Mustang

Kurt used this guitar on Nirvana's 1989 US tour. At some point in the northeast part of the tour Kurt had smashed the guitar to the point where it was rendered unplayable. He took it into Mouradian Guitar in MA to fix the broken neck but either did not have the time or the money to go through with the repair.

While in New Jersey Kurt traded his broken Mustang with Sluggo (of the band Grannies and Huballaloo) for a Gibson SG that Kurt ended up painting light blue.

At one point the guitar was on display at the Seattle EMP on loan from Sluggo himself. It was taken off display to be auctioned off. In December of 2008 the smashed guitar made news headlines when it sold for $100,000. It is rumored to be returning there on loan from it's current (private undisclosed) owner for the Nirvana 2010 exhibit at the EMP.

If anyone has more photos of this guitar please send!

Pictures of the trade @ Sluggo's house in NJ

1. Kurt and band holding SG

2. Kurt - Mustang seen on floor

Sources

Esteban B

livenirvana.com

NME

The photograph above is from the last show that this guitar was used on (Wilkinsburg, PA 7/9/89). There are no videos of the show but it's assumed that's where the guitar was smashed last. The video below is from a performance on 7/12/89 in Philadelphia, PA. No Mustang, but still a neat insight on this era of the band.

And another great montage of photos from this era.

Univox Hi Flier - Sunburst - 2 of 2

This was the second sunburst Univox Hi Flier photographed for the Cobain Unseen book. Unlike the first one (see other entry) this one was published in the book. In the photograph we can see a replacement humbucker in the neck position. The rest of the guitar appears to be stock.

Source

Geoff Moore

kurtsequipment

Univox Hi Flier - Sunburst - 1 of 2

This is the Univox Hi Flier famously used in the encore of the Rio De Janeiro show. Video of "Dive" can be seen on the Live Tonight Sold Out video and also below.

According to Kurtsequipment.com

"Univox Hi-Flyer, mahogany neck and stock single coils at the Rio show encore. Kurt liked this one too. Later got a humbucker in the bridge"

The humbucker in the bridge alteration can be seen in the latest photograph above (by Geoff Moore) as well as the show on 7/23/93 at The Roseland in New York City.

Geoff Moore is the photographer that shot most of the photos for the Cobain Unseen book. He was the sole photographer allowed to shoot the guitars that are in the Cobain estate vault. This guitar was not featured in the Cobain Unseen book. For other guitars photographed by Moore please visit the "Geoff Moore" tag below, as well as Geoff Moore's website.

Note: There is another Geoff Moore photographed Univox Hi Flier that ended up in the Cobain Unseen book. Entry coming soon.

Source

Violent Addiction

Geoff Moore

nirvanaguide

kurtsequipment

Additional Links

1. Video Stills of Rio performance 1 and 2

2. Rio performance of Territorial Pissings